Playlist: Islam
In this program, Dennis Wholey has a conversation about Islam with Imam Sayed Hassan al-Qazwini of the Islamic Center of America, in Dearborn, Michigan. Topics of discussion include the meaning of the words Islam, Muslim, and mosque; the two predominant denominations of Islam, Sunni and Shia; the Five Pillars of Islam; the Muslim view of life after death; and the deplorable hijacking of Islam by radical Muslims for use as a tool of hatred and violence. The program also goes inside the Center’s mosque to observe aspects of a typical Muslim prayer service. (27 minutes)
Islam literally means 'submission.' Abraham of the Old Testament was the first submit himself to God, thus Abraham was the first 'Muslim.' Islam is a monotheistic religion that preaches God's unity. God in the Arabic language is 'Allah.'
The word 'Muslim' means 'the one who submits.' There are around 1.5 billion Muslims in the world, and about 5 million in the U.S. Islam has two sects. The Sunni are the majority of Islam, perhaps 70-80%, and the Shia are the minority.
Imam Sayed Hassan al-Qazwini discusses the five pillars of Islam. These pillars cover faith, prayer, alms giving, fasting during Ramadan, and pilgrimage (Hajj).
Imam Sayed Hassan al-Qazwini details the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments that strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God. At least 2 million Muslims go to Mecca each year.
Imam Sayed Hassan al-Qazwini explains beliefs Muslims have about creation, good and evil, day of judgment, heaven and hell, and the afterlife.
On Fridays, worship in the mosque includes prayers and a sermon, and lasts an hour. All other services take about 20 minutes. Bowing is an expression of submission to God, and prostrating oneself is an expression of the return to earth.
Men congregate for prayers on the first floor of the mosque, while women stay on the second floor, especially when the mosque is crowded. Women may also assemble behind the men, at the back of the mosque.
Islam is not a violent theology, and it is not a religion that promotes hatred, but the media portrays Islam otherwise, in a negative light. The Prophet Muhammad preached tolerance. Radical Muslims promote hatred and violence.